Codex Thread Renamer

Thread renamer for OpenAI ChatGPT/Codex VS Code extension

Patch the installed VS Code openai.chatgpt extension so you can rename Codex threads from the UI.

Prerequisites

Install these before using the patcher:

• VS Code
• OpenAI ChatGPT/Codex VS Code extension (openai.chatgpt) installed
• Node.js (used to run the patcher CLI)
• sqlite3 CLI available in PATH (used by the runtime patch for cache fallback patching)

Recommended:

• git (for updating/reapplying the patcher repo)

Important

This project modifies the installed OpenAI ChatGPT/Codex VS Code extension files on your machine.

• It patches the extension manifest/runtime/webview loader.
• It adds injected patch files used by the rename feature.
• It creates timestamped backups before writing changes.

Use verify before apply, and reapply after updating the OpenAI extension.

Visual Preview

Right-click rename action in Codex thread list

Choose thread to rename (Command Palette flow)

What It Adds

• Rename Codex Thread command in the Command Palette
• Rename Thread in Codex Sidebar added to the original Codex sidebar right-click menu, directly above New Thread in Codex Sidebar
• Inline title editing for the selected or current Codex thread
• Cmd+R / Ctrl+R rename shortcut for Codex sidebar and conversation editor contexts
• Live title updates in the open Codex UI
• Persistent rename via Codex backend rename RPC
• Cache patching fallback so stale titles do not come back

Quick Start

node bin/codex-thread-renamer-patch.js status
node bin/codex-thread-renamer-patch.js verify
node bin/codex-thread-renamer-patch.js apply

Then restart the VS Code window or run Developer: Restart Extension Host.

Usage

After patching and reloading VS Code:

1. Open the Codex sidebar.
2. Rename a thread using either:
   • Command Palette -> Rename Codex Thread while inside a thread to rename the current thread inline
   • Command Palette -> Rename Codex Thread outside a thread to choose from the thread list
   • Right-click the Codex sidebar -> Rename Thread in Codex Sidebar
   • Cmd+R / Ctrl+R when the Codex sidebar or conversation editor is active

Commands

• status - Check whether the installed extension appears patched
• verify - Validate extension signatures before patching
• apply - Apply the patch and write backups

Optional flags:

• --extension-dir <path> - Target a specific openai.chatgpt-* install folder
• --dry-run - Show what would change without writing files

Docs

• Technical internals
• Testing and troubleshooting
• Release history

Contributing

Contributions are welcome.

• You can fork the repo and open a pull request.
• You can also contribute directly with a branch and pull request if you have access.
• Please do not push directly to main, the repo uses PR-first protection.
• If you are not sure where to start, open an issue or pick an existing one:
  • Issues

License

LICENSE